News Releases 2010

LETU Research Nominated for 'Best Paper' at ISPO World Congress

Assistant Professor of Biology Karen Rispin

Mon, Apr 26 2010

LeTourneau University recently received notice that research on
the functionality of prosthetic legs has been nominated for consideration for the Best Papers
Awards at the 13
th annual International Society of Prosthetic Orthotics World Congress in Leipzig,
Germany. The research is being presented by Assistant Professor of Biology Karen Rispin on May 14,
2010. Nominated papers are the best scientific work and best innovation in trade or
craft. If selected, the award for best paper is €1500, or an equivalent of about $2,004 in
U.S. currency.

The title of the research is “Functional Comparison of the LEGS M1
Knee to Commonly Available Developing World Alternatives.” Coauthors on the paper with Rispin
include three LETU students who worked on the Rehabilitation Outcomes Research team: Cory
Husk, Sungyub Lew, Tiana Schufeldt, along with engineering professors involved with the
development of the LEGS M1 knee: Dr. Stephen Ayers and Dr. Roger V. Gonzalez.

“This nomination is evidence of both the global relevancy of the
scholarly work in which our undergraduate students participate with faculty members but also of the
hands-on preparation that sets them apart in graduate or professional school,” said LETU Dean for
the School of Arts and Sciences Dr. Amiel Jarstfer. “I am excited to see the tradition of hands-on
preparation continue because I definitely benefited from this type of experience as an
undergraduate here.”

In the course of this research Rispin and the research team have
developed a suite of outcomes measures that are able to shed light on lower limb prosthetic and
orthotic function in low income countries. Rispin is presenting her research comparing the
prosthetic LEGS M1 knee to other available knees in Kenya and Bangladesh. The research shows the
LEGS M1 knee is a stable knee option that enables amputees to have a more normal looking gait,
which is of significant social value by better enabling them to fit more easily into
society.

The papers are appraised and evaluated by a committee during the
conference May 12-15, with awards conferred to awardees during closing ceremony on Saturday, May
15.